The Patio Tomb— Hurtado’s Take

Well, Easter is approaching and so it’s time for someone to declare this year’s fantastic new discovery that will radically re-orient our understanding of early Christianity, Jesus, whatever. And, this year’s contestant is: “The Earliest Christian Tomb,” courtesy of Mssrs James Tabor and Simcha Jacobovici.

The popular press love such stories and duly rush them into print, largely because they know that it will garner readers, whatever the validity of the claims. Here’s an example: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-02/uonc-ter022712.php.

For a sober analysis of these claims, go to the lengthy discussion on the web site of the American School of Oriental Research (ASOR): http://asorblog.org/?p=1642.